First new Ford...Probably the last Ford

[rgraphic]

Yeah, I get it. Thicken the skin perhaps. Heck I spend most of my time in hockey locker rooms. Brutal in there. If you’re not being jabbed, there’s a problem. Nonetheless, the point I was tryin to make is the OP’s rig seems to be OFF tolerance on the left side. To my mind THAT was the elephant in the room. And we ought to help him solve that problem rather than just say “Ford is great. This is an off-road vehicle.”

I appreciate it. I have tried to get some traction to my original thread that shows the driver side MIC top gap but it really didn't gain much traction.

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/mic-top-misalignment-of-top-to-sides.110583/

I did figure out it seems to be primarily late 24 models that show the same gap. I also learned this is when ford started incorporating the additional gasket between the top and pillars. So far there are 3 of us I have found with the same defect. Mine being the largest degree off on one side. I'll have the ability to remove the top in coming weeks so, I'm going to attempt to reseat it as someone suggested. in regards to the door I wonder if the glass is angled too far towards the body and is hitting the gaskets too early. If someone knows a thread that talks about adjusting the bolts on the underside of the door that goes a little more in depth than pushing them all the way to the outside I'd appreciate it.

And here is the thread from someone that has the exact same wear issue I have with the driver side door window triangle and the trim. Again not a lot of traction but I hope to resolve.

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/unusual-top-and-gasket-wear.46482/#post-2475631

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[wjtinfwb]

I picked up my 2dr 2024 Big Bend a couple months ago. I thought I saw enough YouTube videos and browsed the forums. I wish I would have read more of these forums in hindsight and relied far less on the YouTube excitement videos. The last ford I had was a 91 probe in high school back around 2001. Since then I have owned Honda, Jeep, Toyota, Subaru, and a couple VWs. Overall they all had some minor quirks or annoyances but nothing prepared me for this Bronco. The last 3 cars I owned were brand new. A Crosstrek, GTI and Tiguan. All looked so nice from the dealership. They ran well and just about everything looked like it hadn't been touched or used yet.

This is just not the case for the bronco, but I'll start with the good.

It is very fun to drive. I even enjoy the engine noise. The steering is perfect. The design of the dash and infotainment is perfect. The overall look and design of the vehicle is fantastic. I love that it has a t-top element that is simple to take down and store. Driving without it is a dream and scratches a bit of that open air itch I've had since selling my motorcycle. The marine grade seats and their design are just right. The seat heaters too! They get to therapeutic levels of hot. And it has a built in subwoofer. Again so many things designed so well!

Another thing I knew going in was that the speakers suck. And they do. But I accepted that going in. I switched them all out with kickers and made some tweaks to the eq, etc and it's actually decent now...As long as you keep it under 40ish mph. You're basically on an airplane going over 70 noise wise.

Now for my issues with this thing.
Im not a fan of the quality and construction of just about everything.
It feels like every day I spot something that just isn't quite right to varying degrees or feels cheap. Everyone has mentioned the plastic inside that is highly prone to scratches. I knew that going in and got canvasback liners for the cargo area plastic, but what I wasn't prepared for was the following..

This is the big one and it has driven me crazy since I noticed it. The top was manufactured in a way that the drivers side sticks out further (isn't flush with the rest of the body)and on the passenger side it is flush and looks correct. It's like they do zero alignment or measurement checks to these things when they leave the factory. I've seen body gap inconsistencies all over but nothing like this. So far no cracks but it does have some of the wavy sheen look I have seen in others. Very light honeycombing pattern as well.

Then I noticed the Drivers side door doesn't close without extra force needed and it just doesn't feel quite right. There's only two doors...and this can't be done right?? The glass annoyingly vibrates when it does latch. (Passenger side operates perfectly)

Then I noticed (and might be related to the above) the hard rubber corner in the front part of of the drivers door (that also channels the glass) has already wore through the rubber weather strip on the receiving side of the door jamb exposing aluminum underneath. My guess is the mold used to make it isn't as accurate in shape as the one used on the passenger side. it has to bend in a weird fashion to close completely. I have seen at least one person post pictures of the same wear shortly after purchase.

There is obviously tons of rubber gaskets and trim in a vehicle like this. Why do they all feel like they will fall apart in a year!? I've seen many vehicles from other manufactures that the rubber weatherstripping and gaskets feel strong and durable. This just doesn't give me a lot of confidence.

Back to the MIC top, im terrified to even clean it, due to people going through 2..3..4?? different replacement tops. I should be able to use detailing products built for plastic trim or sealed paint. Just tell me which it is Ford...or better yet, recommend a product!

Why is there so much surface rust on the underside of a new vehicle? I would expect this much after driving a few midwest winters but im in WA and this thing is 2 months old.

Why am I noticing bolts that look like they were installed with the wrong socket or sloppy use of the socket. The bolts that attach the spare mount are painted but look like crap due to sloppy install. I know they are hidden for the most part, but thats no excuse.

Speaking of paint, there are random little paint chips I spot all over. Mainly near edges. Some I cant even make sense of how it happened.

I also notice areas where I cant tell if a gasket is slightly out of place or not because most things all look a little off or unrefined.

*Edit-This is a very minor gripe in hindsight and my main problems are with qc on assembly*
Again, all of the plastic across the vehicle feels incredibly cheap and squeaks or bends with very little pressure. Numerous times im second guessing if all the clips were installed right from the factory. "why does this piece move like this, but the other side does not" is a frequent question. It's like the vehicle has a good and evil side. pretty much everything on the passenger side aligns and looks right but the driver has all sorts of issues with fit and alignment.

I understand this isn't an Audi or Lexus, and maybe im just not used to Ford or what those owners expect quality wise, but I guess im just tired of finding these build quality easter eggs daily with my brand new vehicle. I know the argument its designed to be dirty and get scratches etc but I should be the one that makes that happen. It shouldn't be built like crap because its "going to get dirty and busted up eventually anyway".

I want to emphasize, I do in general love the vehicle from a driving and design standpoint. I dont want this to sound like I hate everything about it. I just dont understand how so many QC details are let through.

My '23 has been fine, no issues, no rattles or squeaks, everything works fine 18 months and 16k miles later. I have a soft top which with all the MIC top issues, seems to solve about half the Bronco complaints. Yes its noisy, but I knew that going in and its tolerable given the way I use it. The interior is all plastic, exactly what you'd expect in a utility vehicle. Corinthian leather wouldn't hold up will to the elements in an open vehicle. Basically, they meney that went into the Bronco went into its capabilities, its ruggedness and flexibility. If you wanted an Audi the 50 grand would have gotten you an A4 or Q5 with a much nicer interior but nowhere near the capability. I'm happy with the rade off.

 

[adam1991]

The Audi was fancy, tight, polished, quiet, smooth; I felt incredible and in control driving it. The Camaro was loud, brash, wild, and full of plastic...But, I felt like a kid again and car is so fun to crank over and drive.

I dated those two women.

 

[Mdozier]

I appreciate it. I have tried to get some traction to my original thread that shows the driver side MIC top gap but it really didn't gain much traction.

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/mic-top-misalignment-of-top-to-sides.110583/

I did figure out it seems to be primarily late 24 models that show the same gap. I also learned this is when ford started incorporating the additional gasket between the top and pillars. So far there are 3 of us I have found with the same defect. Mine being the largest degree off on one side. I'll have the ability to remove the top in coming weeks so, I'm going to attempt to reseat it as someone suggested. in regards to the door I wonder if the glass is angled too far towards the body and is hitting the gaskets too early. If someone knows a thread that talks about adjusting the bolts on the underside of the door that goes a little more in depth than pushing them all the way to the outside I'd appreciate it.

And here is the thread from someone that has the exact same wear issue I have with the driver side door window triangle and the trim. Again not a lot of traction but I hope to resolve.

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/unusual-top-and-gasket-wear.46482/#post-2475631

@Ducati1098 has posted this a few times. It's the proper/complete? procedure for the window adjustment. Not sure if this is exactly what you're asking but maybe it'll help.

You've manually adjusted the windows a few times? Following the procedure attached below?

Front Window Adjustment.pdf

 

[rgraphic]

I dated those two women.

Makes me wonder what a bronco woman would look like...A few missing teeth but strong legs and fun to roll around with?

 

[Brian_B]

My friends that drive Jeeps think I'm crazy for daily driving my Bronco on 35s

 

[B22-2023]

Nonetheless, the point I was tryin to make is the OP’s rig seems to be OFF tolerance on the left side. To my mind THAT was the elephant in the room. And we ought to help him solve that problem rather than just say “Ford is great. This is an off-road vehicle.”

Well you see what happens here when a posting gets to 9 pages - usually no one is solving anything by then. And with the “this is my last Ford” title, we can bet on more anxious commentary all weekend.

What I’d suggest is OP post the problem by itself with lots of pics as a new thread, mention what’s been done such as call the dealer etc., and ask for ideas. KISS. Clean start. That way you just get Helpful Henry’s pinging in and not all the distractions (other than the ever popular, “mine looks fine, never had a problem but then again it’s a ‘23” etc.).

 

[GoHawks63]

I dated those two women.

So have I.

I’m with the Camaro version now and like the car, she is fun.

 

[GoHawks63]

My friends that drive Jeeps think I'm crazy for daily driving my Bronco on 35s

Really? Why? I daily drive mine and it’s very comfortable.

 

[Ninjak]

Really? Why? I daily drive mine and it’s very comfortable.

Jessabelle is my daily, on 37's. Absolutely no issues driving her around.

 

[Zeaks]

I’ve had my Wildtrak for 1 year today, about 14k miles. No rattles, squeaks, or QC issues. I do have a couple small cracks on the hard top around the windows. The top is currently off and was off for at least 7 months of the last 12, I’d leave it off forever if it was possible as a daily driver.

 

[mpeugeot]

I'm definitely beginning to see the crowd here that align with Ford and will brush off any and all complaints.

Also, I lived in a heavy republican/conservative area for a while and now live in Seattle which is solid liberal/democrat. Both sides drive me absolutely crazy at times with their 100% certainty on topics and their ability to hear an opposing opinion. Like you I tend to ride the middle and take on topics individually. I had nothing against Ford to start, but seeing these issues has made me think twice about purchasing them in the future...I dont think thats an unfair or extreme statement.

I don't think that it's that cut and dried, but especially the hard top related issues. There is so much variability with the hardtops that two people are unlikely to agree on how good or bad they truly are... get a good one and it's "not that bad", get a bad one and you need hearing protection at highway speeds. It's just that different, I had two Broncos at the same time one with a good top and one with a bad top. Otherwise nearly identical specs.

 

[mpeugeot]

I humbly disagree... if I couldn't afford to pay cash for all of my vehicles, then I would whole-heartedly agree with you.
I wanted a 2-door Hot-Pepper Red Badlands with the V6, SAS & Lux packages. I got the vehicle new for $3000 below sticker.
One does have to wonder if a $65,000 Bronco is "gentrification", what is the Braptor...??????
I like your thinking though..... it's kind of a slap in the face to the 1st gen Broncos original intent.

It could be worse... For Example

Chevy Blazer
Dodge Charger EV
Mustang Mach-E (Ford says it's really a Mustang)
Ford Maverick

All of which are a slap in the face of their 1st gen equivalents.

 

[RoLyMa27]

It is amazing how, no matter the forum, the “fanboys” fall all over themselves making excuses for and dismissing anything negative to include attacking the messager…

I know, it's crazy isn't it. Kinda reminds me of those that bitch, gripe, and complain about every little thing, constantly turning mole hills into mountains, and they are really good at beating the dead horse. It seems as if they thrive on it, actually makes them happy!

 

[Dads_bronze_bronco]

@rgraphic if I were you, I’d take those alignment issues to the dealer and get them fixed. As for the top, are you talking about no about the t-tops? Maybe worth taking them off and putting them back on to see if they are on wrong. Make sure the alignment pins are in correctly.

As for the interior plastics. They have never been as nice as a Jeep JL, but they are better than the initial easily scratched stuff that was on the 2021 Dealer demo units. It is supposed to be a real off-road utility vehicle, so the scratches are going to happen in the back, at least the plastic is thicker than most car interiors to be able to take it.

Speakers suck in every car I’ve ever bought, and Crutchfiled shows the history of every time I’ve bought a car going back to when they initially opened.

I will say I have been very much less than impressed with Ford quality, but the I looked at the fluid drip marks on my garage floor from the Jeep JK I had for 14 years.

The question is — much like my Jeep — will it take you, your dog and gear way out there, get you back and survive the abuse of doing so? That is the value of vehicles like this.

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